Muscat, Jun 8 : The annual day program began as early as 7.00 am with the celebration of Konkani High Mass by the Spiritual Advisor of MCCP, Rev. Fr.Wilson Rumao. It was also a thanksgiving mass for MCCP in honour of Our Lord’s generous blessings in successfully conducting various programmes and functions throughout the year.The mass turned out to be a memorable one for the Konkani Community as Fr. Wilson introduced the new priest, Rev. Fr. Marian Miranda, a Capuchin from Mangalore. The entire community joined with Fr. Wilson in welcoming Fr. Marian as the new shepherd of the Konkani community in Muscat. The beautiful choir for the Mass was led by Choir master Apolinaris D’Souza with Valerian Peres, Wilma Peres, Anitha Danthi, Cyril Danthi, Freeda Suares, Stany Suares, Stany Menezes, Lovline Rego, Dale Dantis, Precilla Menezes and Edwin Gabriel as choir members. The Executive Committee members offered offertory during the Mass and at the end of the Mass all attendees were served cake and soft drinks.

Silver Jubilee

The main event started at 12.15 p.m. in the Parish Hall with Shaina D’Souza, Reia Correa, Melanie D’Cruz & Rochelle Correa performing a classical dance for the Welcome Song ‘Parameshwara’. The dance was choreographed by Sonia D Souza. Clarence Pinto, the Master of Ceremony for the day took over the proceedings and welcomed everyone. Fr. Marian Miranda then offered prayers for the success of this function.The audience were in for a major surprise when the current President John Gonsalves and the Executive Committee members came on stage and sang a welcome song ‘Maka Anandacho dhakho bosalla’ (Original Song : Late Wilfy Remimbus), which instantly struck a chord with the audience. The music was provided by Pritam D’Souza.

The Chief Guest of the day, Mr. Ligoury and Mrs. Margaret D’Mello were called on stage along with Fr. Wilson Rumao and Fr. Marian Miranda. They were felicitated with flower bouquets by President John Gonsalves. It also set the stage for Fr. Wilson to express his feelings about his association with MCCP for more than four years. He welcomed Fr. Marian and requested the community to extend support to him. President John Gonsalves then presented a memento to Fr Wilson as a token of appreciation for his continuous guidance throughout the year as the Spiritual Director.

John Gonsalves then in his presidential address reminisced about his one year as the President and thanked everyone for their generous support. He then called his Executive Committee members one by one on stage greatly appreciating their unstinted support and hard work during the last one year. They were Ophelia Lazarus (Vice President for Sports and Finance), John Mathias (Vice President for Cultural, Spiritual & Community Services), Priya Menezes (General Secretary), Sunil Furtado (Honorary Treasurer), Sudhir P (Internal Auditor), Joyson Rodrigues (Sports Secretary), Anitha Lobo (Cultural Secretary), Anitha Danthi (Spiritual Secretary) and Lancy Saldanha (Community Services Secretary). They were accompanied by their spouses on the stage as a symbol of gratitude for their support. In turn, John Mathias on behalf of the entire Committee applauded John Gonsalves’ qualities as a leader and his humility.

Ophelia Lazarus(Vice President for Sports & Finance) then took on the onus of honoring the Sponsors of the year and facilitated them on behalf of the Community. They were,
Gold sponsors: Renna Mobile (Courtesy Francis D’Souza), Omantel (Courtesy Eula Pinto)
Silver sponsors: National Finance Co. SAOG (Courtesy Robert Pancres), Hyssna International (Courtesy Ronald Pinto)
Bronze sponsors: Technofit LLC (Courtesy Ligoury & Margaret D’Mello), Muscat Pharmacy (Courtesy Dilip Mehta), Areej Vegetable Oils & Derivatives SAOG(Courtesy Ophelia Lazarus), Muscat Golden Services LLC(Courtesy Raphael D’Souza), Sky United Logistics (Courtesy Dilip Correa), Prestige Projects & Engineering Supplies (Courtesy Denis Mascarehnas), Hydrotech International LLC (Courtesy Clifford Sactis) and Zaharat Al Rawdha Trading (Courtesy Raphael Qaudros)

Apart from these, all event sponsors were also thanked in general.

In order to rejuvenate the crowd, a scintillating Bollywood style dance was performed by Gulf Dancers of Mangalore (GDOM). The dancers were:Shaina D’Souza, Megan D’Souza, Alston Moras, Princy D’Souza, Leanne D’Souza, Philu Moras, Saira D’Souza, Reena Mathias, Sachin Lobo and Jason Cardoza. Choreography was done by Sachin Joy Lobo and coordinated by Sonia D’Souza.

As the Annual Day is also considered as the Annual General Body meeting of the Members, MCCP’s Annual Report for the year 2015-16 was read out by John Mathias (Vice President for Cultural, Spiritual & CS) highlighting several activities that were carried out and various efforts being made to bring the community together. Simultaneously, while the report was being read out, a Power point presentation showing photographs of the events helped the audience to relive those moments once again. This was followed by tabling of the statement of accounts for the year 2015-16 by Sunil Furtado (Honorary Treasurer). The noble thought of the Executive Committee to allocate amounts for Parish activities and to donate to charitable trusts including home for the aged back home was revealed, which was well appreciated. John Gonsalves along with John Mathias and Sunil Furtado then handed over the Annual Report and the statement of accounts to Core Committee member, Mr. Stanley Fernandes.

This was followed by a beautiful dance performance by small children called ‘Dynamites’ under the tutelage of Dynet Fernandes. They were: Christine Danthi, Lanette Rego, Leanne Alva, Lovette Rego, Nicole D’Souza, Renessa Walder, Reia Correa and Rochelle Correa.

The current Executive Committee (Team 24) with the theme of the year ‘Malgadyank Maan, Kutbant Samadhan’ had sent out an invitation to all senior citizens in the community in the age group of 60 years and above. They were given a distinct place among the audience and were treated as special guests. Anitha Danthi, the Spiritual Secretary called them on stage one by one. The President along with Core Committee members honoured these elders of the community with special gifts. One among elders, Mrs. Celine Dion Fernandes volunteered to showcase her talent as a mouth organ player. She played some popular songs and mesmerized the audience, who were surprised at her remarkable ability at this age, who celebrated her 77th birthday one day before.

The contribution of volunteers and enthusiastic supporters was then highlighted and were called on stage by Sudhir P (Internal Auditor). They were felicitated by John Gonsalves. A special mention was made about Lancy Lobo for his unstinted support during the entire year and he was presented with a memento. The President also deeply thanked the Core Committee members Stanly Fernandes, Henry Martis, Clarence Pinto, Donald Pinto and Suraj Rebello for their guidance during his tenure and presented them bouquet of flowers.

To lift the spirit of the crowd, brilliant comedy actor Peter Fernandes and Jeevan Fernandes presented a rib tickling skit, which had the audience in splits. Anitha Danthi then said the grace before meals and invoked God’s blessings on the food and all those partaking in it. A delicious Mangalorean menu was served to everyone present.

After the meal, Peter Fernandes continued with his Comedy act, but this time as a stand-up comedian. Then, Team 24 presented a humorous Konkani play titled ‘Bolaikechen Vokoth’, enacted by all the members of the Executive Committee. The play was written and directed by Peter Fernandes and coordinated by Lancy Lobo. The play had a social message that the elders in our family need love from us and that cannot be compensated with money. The crowd highly appreciated the play as they felt that the social message was very touching and relevant to the current times.

Priya Menezes (General Secretary) proposed the Vote of Thanks, citing everyone who in one way or the other had helped MCCP to conduct various programmes during their tenure, including the co-sponsors of today’s event Al Hajri Trading Co. Al Jassr Furnishing.

The curtains came down to indicate the end of the 24th Annual Dayas well as the tenure of Team 24, which ran the show of MCCP for the last one year. However, it also marked a beginning for Team 25 as MCCP steps into its Silver Jubilee year.

Additional Pictures